Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

Jacinda Leopard https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1581-3891 Shecoya White https://orcid.org/ 0000-0001-7170-7351 Juan L. Silva https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-5624-9599

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

White, Shecoya

Committee Member

Mathews, Rahel

Committee Member

Silva, Juan L.

Date of Degree

5-13-2022

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Abstract

Raw milk sales are legal in 30 states, including Mississippi, where regulations are largely management-based and not food-safety related. The research objectives were to analyze the microbial profile of raw goat milk from Mississippi farms and assess food safety practices and perceptions of dairy goat farmers. Deficiencies and opportunities for improvement in raw goat milk safety were identified. Staphylococcus spp. was present in most (70%) milk samples but aligned with drying-off. E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and coliforms were observed in 4, 10, and 12 samples, respectively; no Salmonella spp. or Listeria monocytogenes were detected. The survey highlighted farmers' need for educational opportunities on safe milk handling with emphasis on handwashing. Most producers (80.8%) are willing to invest more in their farms, creating strategic opportunities for extension outreach to help with market expansion and sustainability. Overall, training accessibility could help producers nationwide by encouraging safe milk handling and best management practices.

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